The Future's Looking Bright for Kington Town's Toddlers

Children in Kington can look forward to continued fun and games after Herefordshire Council successfully appointed a new childcare provider to run the town’s main nursery.

Last year the authority feared that “Arrows” nursery might close after, despite extensive advertising, the directors were unable to find a new manager to lead the group.

However, it’s now good news for the town. David Tully, who already has two other nurseries, successfully won the bid to take the challenge, after impressing the Council’s Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) with his commitment to quality. 

Building on the successes of similar nurseries in Stoke on Trent and Stafford, David is able to draw on many years of experience and expertise in early year’s childcare and education.

“This is an exciting time for all concerned; we’re looking forward to meeting the parents and the children. Our aim is to provide the very best care and early year’s education, building on the foundations laid by “Arrows” parents’ committee and the committed team at the EYDCP,” said David.

“We think the dedicated staff and ‘Arrows’ committee have done a great job in working together to keep the nursery running through what has obviously been a difficult few months.

“We hope to keep most of the staff that are there at the moment.  We want the changeover to be a smooth transition, for continuity of care – this is the most important thing for us now.”

“We are impressed by the commitment of Herefordshire Council which has stepped in and helped to finance the nursery over the last few months.”

Carla Preston, Herefordshire Council’s Business and Finance Support Officer, said they were delighted that David and his team were going to take over the running of the nursery from April 1st.

“Nursery provision of this kind is essential for many families. It is particularly difficult to provide this kind of facility in a rural town like Kington.”

“We’ve put a lot of support into keeping the nursery open in recent months and we’re sure David and his team will bring a lot of good ideas and experience to build on the foundations laid by all those who have been, and currently are, associated with the nursery.”

Chairman of Arrows, Kevin Dods, said: “After so long fighting to keep the Nursery provision open for Kington we were pleased to be able to help whilst the Council sought a new commercial provider.

“We feel confident that David and the team will be able to build on all our efforts over the last 22 months to secure the future of the nursery and enjoy the continued support of the local community.

“My personal thanks go to all the staff, parents, Sure Start and our treasurer Sandra Harber, who volunteered to administer and keep the nursery open during this period of change.”